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  1. #1
    ratóncolorao is offline Member
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    Default is a small planet

    Hello,
    I have found this text in a tail for children:

    " Thousands of miles from Earth, on the far side of the universe, is a small planet, Fliturne."

    You may read it here:

    The cold planet | LearnEnglish Kids | British Council

    Shouldn't it be: there is a small planet .... ?

    Thank you for your help

  2. #2
    5jj's Avatar
    5jj
    5jj is online now Moderator
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    Default Re: is a small planet

    Quote Originally Posted by ratóncolorao View Post
    " Thousands of miles from Earth, on the far side of the universe, is a small planet, Fliturne."

    Shouldn't it be: there is a small planet .... ?
    No. If we move the words that I have underlined to the end of the sentence, then we must begin with "There is a small planet...", but there is no need for 'there' in the original sentence. It is acceptable to use 'there' if you wish to.

  3. #3
    Verona_82 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: is a small planet

    Are we dealing with inversion here?

  4. #4
    ratóncolorao is offline Member
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    Default Re: is a small planet

    Quote Originally Posted by fivejedjon View Post
    No. If we move the words that I have underlined to the end of the sentence, then we must begin with "There is a small planet...", but there is no need for 'there' in the original sentence. It is acceptable to use 'there' if you wish to.
    I thought that a subject was always needed in an English sentence, that is why I miss something there.
    So, from your point of view the original sentence is correct..... "...is a small planet...". Still, I don't understand it from a grammatical point of view. Would you be so kind to explain it to me?

    Thanks a lot.

  5. #5
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    engee30 is offline Key Member
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    Thumbs up Re: is a small planet

    Quote Originally Posted by Verona_82 View Post
    Are we dealing with inversion here?
    You're bang on!

  6. #6
    5jj's Avatar
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    Default Re: is a small planet

    Quote Originally Posted by ratóncolorao View Post
    I thought that a subject was always needed in an English sentence, that is why I miss something there.
    Take Verona's answer, and the subject of the verb is revealed - a small planet, Fliturne

  7. #7
    ratóncolorao is offline Member
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    Default Re: is a small planet

    Quote Originally Posted by fivejedjon View Post
    Take Verona's answer, and the subject of the verb is revealed - a small planet, Fliturne
    Excuse me if I go on with this subject, but, now, I would like you to have a look at this other page:

    http://learnenglishkids.britishcounc...et-story_0.pdf

    The word Fliturne has simply disappeared.

    Thank you.

  8. #8
    5jj's Avatar
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    Default Re: is a small planet

    Quote Originally Posted by ratóncolorao View Post
    The word Flipturne has simply disappeared.
    That makes no difference grammatically.

    ps. I have just noticed that the planet is called 'Fliptune'.

  9. #9
    ratóncolorao is offline Member
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    Default Re: is a small planet

    [QUOTE=fivejedjon;727895]That makes no difference grammatically.

    ps. I have just noticed that the planet is called 'Flipturne"

    Well, the missing of a "p" doesn't make any difference.....
    However, the lack of the name of the planet in the text, does make a difference, at least from my point of view.
    Obviously, I am a foreigner, but we are taught the importance of a subject in every sentence. Hence, I am a bit confused. I just wanted some aide in order to comprehend it.

    Thanks again for your answers

  10. #10
    ratóncolorao is offline Member
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    Default Re: is a small planet

    [QUOTE=ratóncolorao;727899][QUOTE=fivejedjon;727895]That makes no difference grammatically.

    ps. I have just noticed that the planet is called 'Flipturne"

    Well, the missing of a "p" doesn't make any difference.....
    However, the lack of the name of the planet in the text, does make a difference, at least from my point of view.
    Obviously, I am a foreigner, but we are taught about the importance of a subject in every sentence. Hence, I am a bit confused. I just wanted some aide in order to comprehend it.

    Thanks again for your answers

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